OCD Treatment

Question 1

Treatment for OCD

Answer 1

Drug therapy

Question 2

Drug therapy

Answer 2

SSRIs aim to increase the levels of serotonin. Serotonin is released by the presynaptic neuron and travels across the synapse. The neurotransmitter chemically conveys the signal to the postsynaptic neuron and is then reabsorbed by the presynaptic neuron where it is broken down and reused. SSRIs (anti-depressants) prevent this reuptake increasing the serotonin levels which continue to stimulate the post synapse. This compensates for the abnormalities in the serotonin system.

Question 3

Dosage of SSRIs

Answer 3

Dosage varies but for Fluoxetine a typical dose is 20mg. It can be increased if not working. Takes 3-4 months of daily use to have an impact symptoms.

Question 4

Alternatives to SSRIs

Answer 4

There are other antidepressants that can be used as people respond differently to different drugs, so they used if SSRIs fails. Tricyclics - act on various systems including serotonin system and has the same effect as SSRIs. Clomipramine is an example but had very severe side effects.
SNRIs - increase levels of serotonin along with noradrenaline.

Question 5

Other Treatments

Answer 5

Drugs are often used alongside CBT because they reduce emotional symptoms so people can engage more effectively in CBT.

Question 6

Strength (S)

Answer 6

Research support.
Soomro et al (2009) reviewed studies comparing SSRIs to placebos and found all showed a decline for around 70% of the patients who took them.
This shows effectiveness of SSRIs in treating OCD.
However… Stapinskis et al (2016) reviewed outcomes of studies and concluded both cognitive and behavioural therapies were more effective than SSRIs, suggesting although it does treat that actually other treatments are better.

Question 7

Strength (P)

Answer 7

Practical.
Cheap compared to psychological therapies as they can be mass produced. Also cause no disruption to people’s lives because they can just take them and wait for symptoms and not need to book and travel to appointments constantly.
Good value for a public health system and explains why favoured by both doctors and patients.
However… it is acknowledged that although it is believed to have a biological origin that there is a range of causes like trauma and so this would not be able to treat them. This makes it less universal in treating all OCD patients.

Question 8

Weakness

Answer 8

Nasty temporary side effects.
A minority may experience no benefit from the drug but will still experience side effects like indigestion, blurred vision, and insomnia.
This can be extremely distressing and unpleasant so people may stop taking the medication which reduces the effectiveness of the treatment as it may be deemed unreliable if it relies on the individuals to persevere through pain.
Furthermore… Clomipramine can cause longer term conditions like erection problems, tremors, and weight gain which means that even if they stop they will not feel any relief from this.